The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for persons who have contributed to the development of the Japanese home videogame industry was given to Tsunekazu Ishihara of the Pokemon Company.
The Pocket Monster series continues to be loved by people in Japan and around the world.
As the parent who has raised Pocket Monster to surpass worldwide sales of 160 million units, he has created a sublime and giant market for a wide range of contents that in addition to the game software includes the Pokemon movies, animation for television, and card games, and other genre that are loved by people across the world regardless of nationality.
In addition, the game continues to introduce new ways of playing from single-player games to games to the bring together friends and the entire world.
A major reason for the granting of this award is that he has created a business model that utilizes creative production capability and brand management to maximize the appeal of Pocket Monsters, which has broadened the game’s possibilities and contributed to the development of the industry.
Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) understands computer entertainment software as a cultural form and is holding this event since 1996 to celebrate the 15th anniversary this year for the purposes to vitalize and contribute to development of the computer entertainment software industry.
The Japan Game Awards have been selecting and awarding excellent videogame software in three categories of "Game of the Year Division", "Future Division" and "Amateur Division".
While the awards were formerly given only to videogame software, the "METI Award" was introduced last year which is to be awarded both to videogame software and persons/group of persons which and who are supporting the videogame industry to make the system "more open and meaningful award system".
The prize is awarded to those who have contributed to the development of the videogame industry through creation of excellent products or expanded the scope of the videogame industry using a
new expression, technology, etc.
Persons and group of persons are eligible to receive the award.
